Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni will make changes for the match against Jordan at the World Cup.
Lionel Scaloni is expected to make several changes to the starting eleven for the match against Jordan. According to Gastón Edul, Scaloni will give minutes to Marcos Senesi, Valentín Barco, Exequiel Palacios, Giuliano Simeone and José Manuel López in Argentina’s group stage match.
Rest anybody but messi.he needs to score a brace atleast.if mbappe again manage to win it because messi rested then no messi fan will forgive scaloni
Not all fans, but only pathetic fans!
World cup matters more than the Individual records and Golden boot race.. Messi understands the same too.
I want Messi to play for around 45 mins with Alvarez and Nico starting and score goals not because he is in a race with Mbappe, but I would like a bit more attacking fluidity. I want Messi to setup a couple of goals too as we want most of our forwards on form while we play the R32. 5-0 with 3-4 scorers would be great!
Let Messi break all kinds of records, I would love that very much. But TEAM first!
Chill! Messi is above all these competitions and awards. We fans may need more goals from him, he doesn’t need any.
I know it will be a controversial opinion, but I would love to see the same starting XI from our last game. No resting the core lineup.
Why? Because the core group still hasn’t found its attacking rhythm, and they need more time together on the pitch. In 2022, We couldn’t afford to rest player in the 3rd game due to saudi loss and we reached our full potential against Poland, and from that point on we never looked back. In the first two games, we weren’t at our best. I think our attack has looked similar in this World Cup, and we need one more game to get that mojo back before the do or die knockout stage begins.
Please don’t rotate and keep the main XI. We have 6-7 days between matches, so there’s enough time to rest. I don’t want to see our strongest lineup entering the knockout stage without having shown its full potential in the group stage.
this is also a valid point. Maybe a mid path is get them to play together in 1st half ( midfield, ALmada, Lautaro/Alvarez) & sub bulk of them 2nd half or vice versa. But i wish Messi to not come for first 60-65 mins. His backup ie Paz gets needed minutes.
I second this view.
Most of the major teams seem to have regained their rhythm and fluidity. Argentina, on the other hand, has looked unusually rusty even after two matches.
The misplaced passes, tense body language—as if the players are trying to live up to the memories of the 2022 squad—the hurried clearances, and the frequent loss of possession, especially in the first half, all point to a team that is still searching for its natural flow.
I would like to see the starting XI spend a little more time together before the knockout stage, but perhaps not from the first whistle. Let a rotated side begin the game, and then around the 60–65 minute mark, gradually bring on most of the preferred starting XI to build chemistry and match sharpness under real game conditions.
The only exception for me would be Romero. I’d rather not rush him back. Give him the time he needs to recover fully—we’ll need him at his best when the knockout battles begin.
I would prefer to see them from the first whistle because I want to watch them against fresh legs, at high intensity, and in a 0-0 game. We should not be overly worried about injuries since they are luck based and can happen at any time. The priority should be improving the team’s flow and fluidity before the knockout stage begins.
I agree with the decision regarding Romero and I am completely satisfied with Argentina’s defensive performances so far. Attack is where I want to see things come together properly. I am also fine with resting both Lisandro Martinez and Romero since they are injury prone.
I would also love to see Julian and Lautaro tried together because, so far, I have not been convinced by Almada’s performances. If he does not step up in the knockout stage, we may need to look at other options. I think this is the perfect opportunity to test different attacking combinations before the stakes get higher.
So instead of subbing out Alvarez for Lautaro, or vice versa, I would love to see both of them play together like they did during the qualifiers. I want to see more activity from the left side because, so far, I have not seen enough. Almada does not make himself available for passes often enough, while Nico is better in that regard, although his finishing is quite mediocre.
Alvarez could be tried in that position with Lautaro playing as the main No. 9. It would be an interesting option to test, especially since it could add more movement, link up play, and attacking presence on the left side.
No need to test same players.argentina will get 2 not so tough knockout matches in round of 32 and round of 16 but the actual thing is they need fresh properly rested players and seeing the injuries we need to rest whole backline midfield was the weakest in the first two matches so barco or locelso can improve the midfield.need to give minutes to other players so if anyone in knockout gets injured or banned the replacement also has minutes behind them
I agree that the team looked rusty but not sure playing them instead of resting is the way to go. This group of players has been playing together for the last 5 years. I don’t think another game will knock off the rust. The problem is not not having enough playing time together.
While our defense hasn’t been conceding shots, Emi hasn’t exactly been tested except for the Sabitzer freekick. Basically saying, after two matches, he has not been fully tested just yet. Knowing Emi, he’s just like any other player, he wants to play as reports confirmed. Big dilemma we’re facing here.
1. He PLAYS – to get the game rhythm going, with potential minimum risk to his unknown finger condition.
2. He RESTS – to fully heal and give Musso/Rulli to get the WC feeling, with the risk of slightly losing match rhythm.
There are simply pros and cons to both, I’m intrigued to see what Scaloni’s decision will be.
Tbh Argentina resting some players vs Jordan has a few clear upsides and downsides
On the positive side it makes a lot of sense to keep key players fresh esp if the schedule is packed. less risk of injuries too which is huge in tournaments. also it gives fringe players and younger lads a proper chance to show what they can do on the pitch which can be really useful for squad depth later on. sometimes these games help build confidence in the whole team not just the starters
On the negative side tho it can mess with rhythm a bit. if too many changes happen the team can look a bit disjointed and not as sharp as usual. there is also the risk of underestimating Jordan which could give them extra motivation to cause an upset. and if the main guys are rested too much they might come back a bit off tempo in the next big match
overall its a smart move but it defo depends on how much rotation they do and how seriously they take Jordan
It’s not a upset the games dead worthless
I agree with the changes and have a slight disagreement.
On one hand, it’s a great luxury to rest players, especially our hard working midfield core and defense. It’s also great to try out players to see who we can rely on… But not wholesale changes. Although I’m not known to be but I could be wrong about Lopez, but I don’t want to see him much on field…as well as Locelso.
On the other hand, some players lose rhythm and momentum when sitting out a match.
On the third hand- the biggest one- between my legs-….. I want to see the best players on the field every time if possible. This is world cup, not premier league to champions league transition.
It would also concern me if a player like Locelso has his one of his few great moments he has within a year and complicates the lineup and decision making of El presidente Scaloni.
This is the only comment that needs any review or attention regarding this blog thread. Thank you.
I don’t recall Paulo Dybala getting much playing time at the 2022 World Cup. Scaloni used him sparingly throughout the tournament and only brought him on in the dying moments of the final against France, largely for the penalty shootout. Dybala then stepped up and converted one of the most important penalties of his career.
Imagine if he had missed. People would have been questioning Scaloni for not giving him enough minutes earlier in the tournament to build match sharpness and confidence.
That’s why squad rotation matters. It’s not just about resting players; it’s about keeping the entire squad engaged, match-ready, and prepared to contribute when a crucial moment arrives. In a long tournament, you never know who will be needed in a semifinal, final, or penalty shootout.
Good point Dante. Agreed 💯
Thank you for adding to the only comment worth review and a read in this thread. Next new comment above will copy or reiterate and then make a small disagreement. Predicable. Watch 🙂
It was primarily because Argentina were not as comfortable in the group stages like this time. We had lost to Saudi and 3rd game vs Poland was crucial to top the group. So Scaloni didn’t have the comfort to do rotations just to give players minutes – like he has this time).
The players who absolutely need to be rested are Enzo, Mac Allister, De Paul, Lisandro, Romero (injured), and Lautaro. They are the core of this team, and we need them fit and fresh for the knockout stage.
Julian still doesn’t look 100%, but we’ll get a better idea after the Jordan game. Messi should be fine. He doesn’t cover as much ground defensively, and with four days’ rest since the previous match and five more days before the Round of 32, two games in nine days should be manageable for him. Simeone has played as RB for Atletico few times last season. Anyone has any updates on Montiel and Tagliafico’s recovery?
My preferred starting XI against Jordan would be:
Julin
Nico.g – Messi
Barco – Paredes – Palacios
Medina – Otamendi – Senesi – Simeone
Emi/Musso
Subs:
Paz for Messi around the 60th minute, or alternatively Messi could come on for Paz at that stage.
Lo Celso for Barco/Paredes/palacios, as he can play both deeper and further forward.
Tagliafico, if fit, could replace Medina around the hour mark.
Lopez for Julian, looking forward to see a tall striker play upfront, and with Almada showing good chemistry with the team, he could also come on for Nico.G.
Of course, these are just my preferences. The actual starting 11 and subs will depend on fitness levels and how the game unfolds. Making too many changes could also give Jordan an advantage, so there’s a balance to be found.
I think Julian Alvarez is still not fit enough otherwise a player of his ability can’t miss those type of chances , he is type of player who can convert even half chances.
Lautaro can’t be trusted in big matches , he does often choke in big games.
Agreed he is a choker, alverz is better finisher of the two… This is where i feel Valentín Castellanos is a miss from the squad his finishing skills are superior and he did something special against that real madrid scoring 4 goals. I am not sure other than messi did we have any hatrick scored players in any top5 legue in last 2-3 years
Same choker was top goal scorer in Italian league even after his injuries. Really hard to understand you guys ? why are you not happy! Team got through with maximum points and we can rest our players and prepare for next game. Yes there is room to improve which is good and it is tournament where team improves gradually and so is players. Relax!
Yes he is top a scorer in Italian league but he doesnt give me confidence like fully fit Julian. He performance in UCL final against man city ,last WC and KO games in UCL cast some doubt. Alvarez is a better in terms of press, skills , speed and finishing.
Or maybe GK made an excellent save! Did you think about that tho?
I have a feeling Julián Álvarez isn’t playing with complete mental freedom at the moment.
The uncertainty surrounding his situation—caught between a club that no longer feels quite like home yet isn’t ready to let him go, and the prospect of a new club where proving himself all over again is inevitable—can’t be easy for any player.
Football at the highest level demands not just physical fitness but mental clarity. Right now, Julián looks like someone carrying that extra weight. If the uncertainty continues, we’ll never see the sharp, instinctive, fearless footballer we all know he can be in this edition.
Reposting one of my comments.
Medina is extremely improved in last 22 matches and Kudos to Scaloni for that. But like the first game, Medina does get a brain freeze once in a while. See replay on header by Gregoritsch in 67′ minute of the game. Medina was just frozen there – didn’t even attempt a jump. It was good luck that header was not in correct direction else we would have conceded a pressure creating goal.
And yes it will be wonderful to rotate the players. Especially want to see Paz, Barco and Senesi in the mix.
Brilliant